Environmental Health Division
Highlights
Environmental Health Division
This information is currently newsworthy, seasonally pertinent, or is showcased to promote awareness.
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Lead in venison
Small lead fragments often are present in hunter-harvested venison, particularly ground venison. Learn more at Lead information for deer hunters | DNR.
Information about Lead in Venison (PDF)
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Well test kits available for private well households with a baby or pregnant person
MDH is currently able to provide free well water testing kits and possibly bottled water to homes in eight southeast Minnesota counties who have nitrate concentrations high than 10 parts per million and a pregnant person or baby under 1 year of age in the home. Learn more information about eligibility requirements and sign up at Response to EPA Nitrate Letter for Southeast Minnesota.
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Provide input on Minnesota’s roadmap to ensure safe and sufficient drinking water into the future
Minnesota has an outstanding record of providing safe drinking water for customers on public water systems. Yet, there are risks and gaps to address so that everyone, everywhere in Minnesota has safe and sufficient drinking water. The DRAFT Minnesota Drinking Water Action Plan names key risks and gaps and proposes strategies to address them. One of the key gaps the plan names is that Minnesota’s 1.1 million private well users need further support and resources so they can be confident their drinking water is safe. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) coordinated the development of the plan, incorporating expertise and feedback from water professionals, state and local governments, researchers, and Minnesotans who drink water.
MDH invites you to review the Plan and provide feedback by October 17. The plan, information sheet, and feedback form are at Future of Drinking Water. Please share this invitation with others.
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Radon Poster Contest
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is hosting another Radon Poster Contest for fall 2024! The poster contest raises students' awareness about radon in the home while using their imagination and creative skills. Learn more on the Radon Poster Contest webpage.
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Protect your groundwater
About 70% of Minnesotans drink groundwater. If you are a private water well owner, there are many ways to protect this valuable resource. Two of the most important things that you can do are to make sure your well is properly capped, and to properly seal any abandoned/unused wells on your property. For more information, visit Sealing of Wells and Borings.
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New District Office locations
The Rochester District Office and the St. Cloud District Office moved to new locations.
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Response to EPA Nitrate Letter for Southeast Minnesota
Public meetings
The Minnesota Department of Health is hosting four public meetings to discuss their response to nitrate issues in southeast Minnesota. Three meetings will be in person in southeast Minnesota and one virtual meeting is scheduled for those who cannot attend in-person.
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Healthy school environments 
The school environment is of special importance to our children’s health and development. MDH is actively engaged in assisting schools with a variety of environmental health programs. These programs inform school officials and others about methods to manage and prevent hazards, relevant laws, and useful guidance documents. Learn more at Children's Environmental Health.
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Indoor radon in schools
Minnesota Tracking, in collaboration with the Indoor Air Unit, analyzed school radon tests to identify how many schools and school districts tested for radon. Radon testing and mitigation could improve the health of staff and students. For more information, visit Radon in Minnesota - MN Public Health Data Access portal.
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Extreme Heat Events
Extreme heat events in Minnesota are already occurring and are expected to become more common, more severe, and longer-lasting as our climate changes. Learn more regarding Extreme Heat.
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Wildfire Smoke
Wildfires are becoming larger and more frequent in the United States and Canada, in part due to the influence of climate change. Not only are we seeing hazier skies in Minnesota, we’re experiencing more unhealthy air from wildfire smoke. More information can be found at Wildfire Smoke.
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Model Plan to test for lead in early care and education settings
Under Minnesota Statutes, 121A.335 Lead in School Drinking Water, and 145.9273 schools and child care centers are required to test for lead at all drinking water fixtures used for consumption. The Model Plan provides the requirements and guidance for testing for lead in drinking water to meet the requirements of the statute.
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EH Topics
The Environmental Health Division (EH) works on multiple topics to support the health of all Minnesotans. You can search these topics on the Topic Index webpage.
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Minnesota Office of Accessibility
State of Minnesota’s free e-Learning program on how to create accessible documents.
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